Three Big 12 Football Standouts Named AP First-Team All-Americans
A trio of the best players in the Big 12 were named to the AP All-America First Team, with Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon, Kansas State offensive guard Cooper Beebe, and Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat all representing the conference.
Gordon led the NCAA with 1,614 rushing yards this season and ranked second nationally with 20 rushing touchdowns. He was also named the winner of the Doak Walker Award over the weekend, presented annually to the nation’s top running back. With Oklahoma State’s offense in a lull to begin the year, Gordon became the focus in Week 4 and led Oklahoma State to a 9-3 regular season and an appearance in the Big 12 Championship against Texas.
Beebe, the standout senior left guard for Kansas State, has now been named a First-Team All-American in three of the five teams used by the NCAA for Consensus All-American status, with the other two teams yet to be announced as of Monday. Beebe has started 47 games over his career at K-State and has allowed just five sacks on 1,450 career pass-blocking snaps, just one of those coming in the last 41 games.
Sweat beat out Beebe for the Outland Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s best interior lineman, and has been a dominant force for a Texas defense that is getting set for a date with Washington in the College Football Playoff. Sweat put together his best season yet in 2023, establishing career highs with 42 tackles, 17 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and four pass breakups.
AP All-America First Team
Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
Cooper Beebe, OG, Kansas State
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
AP All-America Second Team
Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Beanie Bishop Jr., CB, West Virginia
Third-Team
Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Xavier Worthy, All-Purpose Player, Texas
Danny Stutsman, Linebacker, Oklahoma
T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
